GDHQNHL15_2pg-Tampa Bay Lightning 1

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Offense
The Tampa Bay Lightning were the team most affected by the NHL’s
new playoff format. Their 101 points were third best in the conference, but
all it earned them was a matchup with division foe Montreal Canadiens
who finished fourth in the conference with 100 points.
Steven Stamkos is a legit star in the NHL but he missed most of last
season with a broken leg. That didn’t stop the Lightning from scoring 240
goals and finishing third in the Eastern Conference in that category.
In just 37 games, Stamkos managed to put up 25 goals and 40 points. The
fact that he returned late last season gives confidence that the team’s new
captain will be at his best when the season starts.
The biggest splash of last season came when the Lightning swapped
captains with the New York Rangers and brought in Ryan Callahan in
exchange for Martin St. Louis. Callahan quickly endeared himself to the
Tampa Bay fans and players with his hard work and leadership skills.
Resigning him was Tampa’s most pressing offseason move.
It was a pair of rookies that picked up most of the offensive slack in
Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson. Both players were selected as finalists for
the Calder Trophy where they finished second and third, respectively, and
they each managed to play in all 82 games.
Johnson set a Lightning rookie record with 24 goals and was a huge
factor even strength and on special teams. Palat finished the season one goal
behind Johnson but managed to best him with 59 points.
The embarrassment of riches may continue once 19-year old Jonathan
Drouin joins the team. The former third overall pick put up a ridiculous 108
points in 46 games for the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL is considered
one of the best prospects in hockey by many scouts.
The Lightning are stacked on offense where veteran Valtteri Filppula
score a career high 25 goals and 24-year old Ale Killorn has continued
to improve. They’ll also get some production from defenseman Victor
Hedman, who had 55 points.
Defense
The Tampa Bay defense was solid, ranking 11th in the league in goals
allowed, and it was a big step up for the unit that ranked 27th the season
before. The amazing play of goaltender Ben Bishop and a renewed focus.
“It’s a whole team philosophy or concept, a mindset,” GM Steve Yzerman
told the Tampa Bay Times. “Championship teams are strong defensively.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Steven Stamkos
Tampa Bay
LIGHTNING
Key Additions:
Brenden Morrow, Anton
Stralman, Brian Boyle, Jason
Garrison
Key Subtractions:
Teddy Purcell, Cedrick
Desjardins, Ryan Malone, Tom
Pyatt
Strengths:
Young talent, elite forward and
goaltender
Weaknesses:
Special teams
Steve Audette/NHL/Getty Images